Seat with stowable securing system

ABSTRACT

A seating system or seat includes a seatback and a head restraint operatively attached to the seatback. A housing area is disposed within either the head restraint or the seatback. A securing member is selectively movable between at least a first position and a second position. An end effector is operatively attached to the securing member. The end effector is substantially adjacent to the housing area in the first position, and is deployed away from the housing in the second position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to vehicle seating systems.

BACKGROUND

Automobiles and other vehicles include one or more seats for occupants of the vehicles, such as the driver and passengers. Different seating types include bucket seats and bench seats. Numerous features of the seats are configured to promote the function of supporting vehicle occupants in the seats. Seats and seating systems may include belts, latches, or restraints for supporting and holding occupants of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

A seating system or seat is provided. The seat includes a seatback and a head restraint operatively attached to the seatback. A housing area is disposed within either the head restraint or the seatback.

A securing member is selectively movable between at least a first position and a second position. An end effector is operatively attached to the securing member. The end effector is substantially adjacent to the housing area when the securing member is in the first position, and is deployed away from the housing area when the securing member is in the second position.

The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages, of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the invention, as defined in the appended claims, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, isometric view of a seating system having a retractable and stowable system for securing handled objects, such as bags;

FIG. 2 is another schematic, isometric view of the seating system of FIG. 1, shown with a different bag;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, side view of a portion of the seating system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating components and features disposed within a head restraint;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, plan view of an end effector and securing member from the seating system shown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, plan view of another end effector and securing member usable with the seating system shown in FIGS. 1-3; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic, plan view of another end effector and securing member that are also usable with the seating system shown in FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers correspond to like or similar components wherever possible throughout the several figures, there is shown in FIG. 1 a schematic, isometric view of a seating system or seat 10, which may be used in numerous vehicles (not shown). Features and components shown in other figures may be incorporated and used with those shown in FIG. 1, and components may be mixed and matched between any of the configurations shown.

While the present invention is described in detail with respect to automotive applications, those skilled in the art will recognize the broader applicability of the invention. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” et cetera, are used descriptively of the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Occupants of the vehicle may be seated in the seat 10, or it may be vacant, and the seat 10 may be located in the front, back, or intermediate areas of the vehicle. Relative to the seat 10, the forward direction is the direction toward the occupant, which is often, although not necessarily, also the direction of forward travel for the vehicle.

The seating system includes a base 11, upon which occupants may sit, having a forward end 12 and a rearward end 13. The base 11 is operatively attached to a seatback 14. The rearward end 13 of the base 11 is operatively attached to a bottom end 15 of the seatback 14.

A top end 16 of the seatback 14 is operatively attached to a head restraint 18. In some configurations of the seat 10, the head restraint 18 may be incorporated or integrally formed as part the top end 16 of the seatback 14.

A securing member 20 is selectively movable between at least a first position 21 and a second position 22, which are shown very generally and illustratively in the figures. An end effector 24 is attached to the securing member 20. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the end effector 24 is an open hook.

The first position 21 may be referred to as a stowed position for the end effector 24, and the second position 22 may be referred to as a deployed position. The securing member 20 may move smoothly between the first position 21 and the second position 22 or may be subject to detents or locking positions.

A housing area 26 may be disposed within either the head restraint 18 or a portion of the seatback 14 adjacent to the head restraint 18. The housing area 26 is shown in FIG. 1 disposed within the head restraint 18, and an alternative housing area 27 is shown disposed within the top end 16 of the seatback 14 in FIG. 2.

The end effector 24 is configured to hold, interface, or mate with a bag 28. In the example shown in this case, the bag 28 is a briefcase or a laptop bag. However, other bags and articles with handles may also be used with the end effector 24 and the seating system shown and described herein. For example, and without limitation, the end effector 24 may be interfaced with backpacks or purses.

In the first position 21, the end effector 24 is substantially adjacent to the housing area 26, such that the securing member 20 and the end effector 24 are out of the way when not in use. In the second position 22, the end effector 24 is deployed away from the housing area 26 and may be used to hold the bag 28. The first position 21 and the second position 22 are illustrated very generally in the figures. The second position 22 may be anywhere within the extended range of the securing member 20.

Referring also to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, there are shown additional views of the seat 10 or portions thereof. FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the seat 10 with the securing member 20 extended to a different second position 22 than that shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a side view of a portion of the seat 10 and illustrates components of the seat 10 which are within the head restraint 18. FIG. 4 shows a schematic, plan view of the end effector 24 and the securing member 20 shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 2 shows the end effector 24 holding an alternative bag 29, which is a backpack. Furthermore, the alternative bag 29 is shown disposed behind the seat 10, because the securing member 20 is configured to extend to multiple second positions 22, which may be either in front of or behind the seat 10.

As shown in each of the figures, but best viewed in FIG. 4, the end effector 24 includes an open hook. FIG. 4 also shows that the securing member 20 is formed as a belt, and may be a webbed or leather belt. As discussed herein, the securing member 20 and the end effector 24 may take other forms, shapes, or configurations.

The seat 10 also includes a retractor 30 operatively attached to the securing member 20 and configured to bias the securing member 20 toward the first position 21. The retractor 30 may be any suitable device capable of pulling the securing member 20 back into the housing area 26. For example, the retractor 30 may be a spring-loaded device that passively applies retraction force to the securing member 20 regardless of position, or may selectively lock the position of the securing member 20.

The retraction force applied by the retractor 30 may be sufficient to hold the bag 28 upright. The retractor 30 may be configured to lock or hold the securing member 20 in the first position 21 and the second position 22. Furthermore, the retractor 30 may be configured to stop the securing member 20 in an intermediate position 23 between the first position 21 and the second position 22.

The seat 10 includes a support member 32 configured to attach the head restraint 18 to the seatback 14. The retractor 30 may be attached or secured to the support member 32 within the head restraint 18. The retractor 30 may allow the securing member 20 to be pulled smoothly and continuously from the first position 21 to the second position 22, or the retractor 18 may have detents or stop positions to iterate from the first position 21 to the second positions 22 (and through the intermediate position 23) in steps.

The end effector 24 may stow within a portion of the housing area 26. However, the head restraint 18 or the seatback 14 may have a nesting pocket 34 formed within and configured to at least partially receive the end effector 24, such that the end effector 24 has a storage location when the securing member 20 is in the first position 21. The nesting pocket 34 may include clips or resistance features to restrain the end effector 24 from falling out of the nesting pocket 34 unless pulled by an occupant. For example, if the end effector 24 is shaped as an open hook, the nesting pocket 34 may have a matching female receptacle into which the end effector 24 may be snapped.

In the seat 10 shown in the figures, both the housing area 26 and the nesting pocket 34 are within the head restraint 18, but other configurations may be used. For example, both the housing area 26 and the nesting pocket 34 may be within the top end 16 of the seatback 14. Alternatively, the housing area 26 and the nesting pocket 34 may be separated. For example, the housing area 26 may be in the head restraint 18 and the nesting pocket 34 in the seatback 14, such that the securing member 20 extends downward from the head restraint 18 and the end effector snaps into the nesting pocket 34 on the adjacent top end 16 of the seatback 14.

When the securing member 20 is deployed away from the first position 21, the securing member 20 may be suddenly pulled away from or reeled out of the retractor 30, especially when holding or attached to the bag 28. For example, if the vehicle suddenly decelerates, the bag 28 may be rapidly accelerated away from the seat 10. The seat 10 may include a locking mechanism 36 operatively attached to the securing member 20.

The locking mechanism 36 prevents movement of the securing member 20 toward the second position 22 if the securing member 20 is subjected to high acceleration. For example, and without limitation, the locking mechanism 36 may restrain movement of the securing member 20 whenever the seat 10 or the securing member 20 or the seat 10 experiences acceleration greater than a maximum or a threshold acceleration. The locking mechanism 36 may function by inhibiting operation of the retractor 30. Therefore, the bag 28 is less likely to be moved away from the seat 10 during sudden decelerations of the vehicle.

In order to secure objects or articles without a handle, such as a shipping box, the seat 10 may include one or more interface points 38 configured to mate with the end effector 24. Therefore, the securing member 20 may be attached at two different locations on the seat 10. For example, if the end effector 24 is shaped as an open hook, the interface point 38 may be an eyelet with which the hook mates and the securing member 20 may hold the shipping box or other article against the seat 10. Possible locations for the interface points 38 may include, without limitation, the bottom end 15 of the seatback 14 and the forward end 12 of the base 11.

Referring now to FIG. 5, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a schematic, plan view of a securing member 120 and an end effector 124 and that are usable with the seating system shown in FIGS. 1-3.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the end effector 124 is a carabiner. The carabiner-type end effector 124 has a spring catch or arm 125 capable of closing the end effector around a handle or an eyelet. The end effector 124 may or may not include mechanisms to lock the carabiner closed, as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the end effector 124 has the ability to lock onto, for example, the handles of the bag 28, bag 29, or the interface points 38. Unlike the securing member 20, which was a belt, the securing member 120 is formed as a cable or rope.

Referring now to FIG. 6, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a schematic, plan view of a securing member 220 and an end effector 224 and that are usable with the seating system shown in FIGS. 1-3. The securing member 220 is again a belt, which may be formed from, for example, webbing, fabric, or leather. In this configuration the end effector 224 is a loop closable with one or more fasteners 225. For example, and without limitation, the fasteners 225 may be snaps or strips hook-and-loop fastening tape (such as those commonly referred to as VELCRO).

The end effector 224 may be formed integrally from a portion of the securing member 220. For example, the end effector 224 may be woven onto the end of the securing member 220. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the looped end effector 224 may be a separate component attached to the securing member 220, such that the end effector 224 and securing member 220 are formed separately. In either configuration, the end effector 224 and securing member 220 may be formed from different materials or have different sizes, shapes or width.

The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the invention, but the scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed invention have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the invention defined in the appended claims. 

1. A seating system, comprising: a seatback; a head restraint operatively attached to the seatback; a housing area disposed within one of the head restraint and the seatback; a securing member selectively movable between a first position and a second position; and an end effector attached to the securing member, wherein the end effector is substantially adjacent to the housing area in the first position, and the end effector is deployed away from the housing area in the second position.
 2. The seat system of claim 1, further comprising: a retractor operatively attached to the securing member and configured to bias the securing member toward the first position.
 3. The seat system of claim 2, wherein the retractor is configured to stop the securing member in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.
 4. The seat system of claim 3, further comprising: a locking mechanism operatively attached to the securing member, wherein the locking mechanism prevents movement of the securing member toward the second position if the securing member is subjected to acceleration greater than a threshold acceleration.
 5. The seat system of claim 4, further comprising: a nesting pocket formed within one of the head restraint and the seatback, wherein the nesting pocket is configured to at least partially receive the end effector.
 6. The seat system of claim 5, further comprising: an interface point configured to mate with the end effector.
 7. The seat system of claim 6, further comprising: a seat base having a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the rearward end of the seat base is operatively attached to a bottom end of the seatback and the head restraint is attached to a top end of the seatback, and wherein the interface point is located at one of the bottom end of the seatback and the forward end of the seat base.
 8. The seat system of claim 2, wherein the housing area is within the head restraint.
 9. The seat system of claim 2, wherein the end effector includes an open hook.
 10. The seat system of claim 2, wherein the end effector includes a carabiner.
 11. The seat system of claim 2, wherein the securing member is a webbed belt.
 12. The seat system of claim 2, wherein the end effector is a loop closable with a fastener.
 13. A seating system, comprising: a seatback; a head restraint operatively attached to the seatback; a housing area disposed within the head restraint; a securing member selectively movable between a first position and a second position; and an end effector attached to the securing member, wherein the end effector is substantially adjacent to the housing area in the first position, and the end effector is deployed away from the housing area in the second position.
 14. The seat system of claim 13, further comprising: a refractor operatively attached to the securing member and configured to bias the securing member toward the first position.
 15. The seat system of claim 14, further comprising: a locking mechanism operatively attached to the securing member, wherein the locking mechanism prevents movement of the securing member toward the second position if the securing member is subjected to acceleration greater than a threshold acceleration.
 16. The seat system of claim 15, further comprising: a nesting pocket formed within one of the head restraint and the seatback, wherein the nesting pocket is configured to at least partially receive the end effector.
 17. The seat system of claim 16, further comprising: an interface point configured to mate with the end effector; a seat base having a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the rearward end of the seat base is operatively attached to a bottom end of the seatback and the head restraint is attached to a top end of the seatback, and wherein the interface point is located at one of the bottom end of the seatback and the forward end of the seat base.
 18. The seat system of claim 17, wherein the end effector includes a carabiner.
 19. A seating system, comprising: a seatback; a head restraint operatively attached to the seatback; a housing area disposed within the head restraint; a securing member selectively movable between a first position and a second position; a locking mechanism operatively attached to the securing member, wherein the locking mechanism prevents movement of the securing member toward the second position if the securing member is subjected to acceleration greater than a threshold acceleration; a retractor operatively attached to the securing member and configured to bias the securing member toward the first position; an end effector attached to the securing member, wherein the end effector is substantially adjacent to the housing area in the first position, is deployed away from the housing area in the second position, and includes an open hook; and a nesting pocket formed within one of the head restraint and the seatback, wherein the nesting pocket is configured to at least partially receive the end effector. 